Turkey Hill Experience
Turkey Hill Experience
4
Monday
11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Sunday
10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
About
Come learn how our ice cream is made, sit in our milk truck, brainstorm your own ice cream flavor, milk a mechanical cow and learn about the people and culture of Turkey Hill. Discovery and delight abound for the whole family. And of course, there are free samples of Turkey Hill ice cream and iced tea!
Columbia, Pennsylvania

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.0
1,673 reviews
Excellent
846
Very good
463
Average
219
Poor
88
Terrible
57

Harold H
Anaheim, CA378 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
The 4 hours spent at Turkey Hill Ice Cream Factory was worth the visit. The open hours are 9:30am to 4pm during our August visit. We arrived before the doors opened because we had reservations for Taste Lab. There was a big cow statue for photo opportunity next to entrance. Inside were exhibits including milking a fake cow. Complimentary drinks and large ice cream samples were available. I liked the mango drink.

Our taste lab was in Classroom B downstairs. Entry in classroom is showing the "ticket" which also has the number to enter for your on line commercial.
Every person is required to wash hands before seating in the large room. The faucet water was turned on by foot pedal. (We looked silly waving our hands trying to initiate the water flow.) If there was verbal or written instruction to use foot pedal, we didn't know.

After being seated in front of flavored containers, a presenter provided brief instructions to class on what to expect. Most of our group chose the one pint vanilla instead of chocolate as the base. Then we added flavored drops before adding toppings. It was about a 50 minute session. We were surprised we ate the entire pint of ice cream before leaving the room.

Afterwards, some of us still had room for two big ice cream samples back upstairs. I had the Peanut Butter and Strawberry Cheesecake flavors. Nine ice cream flavors were available. Ask for half a scoop of two flavors. I was informed mixing flavors was permitted.

Then we made a commercial video which was available later on line.
The parking lot was full when we left at 12:30pm. We didn't need the ice chest since the one pint ice cream we created was eaten.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are glad you enjoyed your visit, Harold!
Written August 25, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

sullific
new haven, ct701 contributions
Mar 2023
I guess this is more for kids than anyone. I knew that going in, so I wasn't disappointed. There is a small museum-type area which is more adult-oriented, but otherwise, it's pretty much geared for the average grade schooler.

That doesn't mean adults won't enjoy it, and if you like ice cream, having as much as you want (as well as free sundaes on offer) is worth what seems like a pretty steep entry price for what's basically an advertisement. It's claimed that USA Today rates this one of the to 25 factory tours in the nation, but be assured, it''s not a factory tour (which they do tell you). This isn't a working factory. You won't see any ice cream being made...you can see it being made on film, however.

We didn't opt for the "triple experience" as it didn't seem like a good value, but probably should have as tasting your own ice cream concoction was evidently something my husband had wanted to do (and I would have liked the tea tasting session).

If you are in the area and/or doing a Lincoln Highway tour, it's a satisfactory stop.
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

JennieM
New Jersey39 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
This place is terrific! Not only is it well-priced, but they don’t nickel and dime you throughout the day AND they give you endless ice cream and iced tea samples! (Seriously, more ice cream than we could eat.)

They said to arrive 45 mins before your Taste Lab but I recommend 1.5 hours so you can take your time prior to the lab. There was so much to do!!

The actual Taste Lab was okay. You can’t make chocolate so we had some tears and my ice cream tasted nothing like the flavor I added, but overall still had fun.

Fun little outing! Definitely worth the 2 hour drive from NJ.
Written July 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are glad you enjoyed your visit, Jennifer!
Written July 27, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

MacyLynn
Lancaster, PA44 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
This was our second visit to THE, with the first one being 5+ years ago. The exhibit part is roughly the same as it has always been. There were very few updates for social distancing. In fact, there were at least two places where a queueing space was erected, encouraging people to stand really close to each other in line. The two 12 y.o.s I was with zipped through within 15 minutes.

We also did the taste lab, for the first time. While we were upstairs, we were able to walk away from unmasked folks. For the taste lab, we were corralled together in a hallway with poor ventilation. The large family group in front of us in particular was unmasked, shouting across the space, and moving back and forth in the line as they gathered up family members from the bathroom and the gift shop. These are all dangerous, viral spreading behaviors.

Inside the lab, we asked why there were people with no masks. The employee said they can't make people. As a private business, yes you can! This is especially true in an area where you are handling food.

In addition, the attraction is in a region experiencing increased spread. The CDC gave the recommendation for masks in doors. PA governor said it was up to counties and private business. If your county refuses to recognize science, then as a private business attracting tourists from outside the area, you have an obligation to do the right thing.

We attempted to eat our ice cream with masks on, seated within two feet of other visitors. As soon as it ended, we threw most of our ice cream away and left.

Do better.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Hello MacyLynn, thank you for your feedback. Currently, we are abiding by CDC recommendations and encouraging guests who are not fully vaccinated to wear a mask. However, ate this time, it is not required. We encourage you to consider visiting during our non-peak season (September-March) when it tends to be significantly less crowded. Please reach out to us at (684-0134x104) if you have any comments or questions.
Written August 18, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

jr0907
Hollywood, MD80 contributions
Jul 2022
We went with our grandsons(both 4) and we had a wonderful time. They had fun things for the kids to do and the adults. It wasn't crowded because we got their right when they opened. As it got closer to noon, it was much more crowded because it was a rainy day. The samples are great. We also enjoyed making your own flavor and packaging design. We did not do any of the labs because of the age of our grandsons.

Overall, everyone had a fun time and would recommend it for families with kids. Teens would most likely not enjoy it as much.
Written July 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

tgussie
Maryland67 contributions
Feb 2022
My twin sister and I went to the Turkey Hill Experience for our 62nd birthday. This place isn't just for kids. These two old ladies had a blast! The displays are interesting, the activities and games are fun, and the tea and ice cream samples are awesome. We did the ice cream taste lab (which is an add-on to the TH Experience) and it was great. Each participant got a pint of vanilla ice cream to which you add your own flavors, mix-ins, and syrups. So much fun. In addition to that pint of ice cream, I had 6 samples at the ice cream tasting station. I was so full of ice cream! It was a delicious, fun, worthwhile afternoon. a note... we went on a weekday in February and it wasn't crowded at all. I understand that it can get quite crowded on the weekends and in the summer.
Written February 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Thank you for your kind words, tgussie! Hope you visit us again soon!
Written February 16, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

CloggerSC
Aiken, South Carolina, United States129 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Our family of 5 adults and 4 kids under 8 had a good time but it was very over stimulating. All exhibits were hard to follow for our young kids, it was a rather small space for crowds of people. We paid extra for the Tasting Lab where we tried to make our own ice cream flavor starting w vanilla icr cream which really was making your own ice cream sundaes. We could have done that at home!
The ice cream sample area at the back of the museum was the best! So skip the Tasting Lab, not worth it.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

ouijapad
Martinsburg, WV85 contributions
Feb 2022 • Family
I have been wanting to stop here for awhile. My son had a great time. Although he is not interested in the history of Turkey Hill or the whole ice cream making process, he stayed busy and had so much fun. Unlimited ice cream, tea, and lemonade samples are a huge plus. My son only eats vanilla, but today he tried and liked something new. Lines moved pretty fast. Parking was a bit of a problem, and you have to drive around til someone leaves to find a spot. Didn't see any signs for overflow parking. My only other complaint is that to do the ice cream or tea classes, you have to pay for kids even if they don't participate. Personally I would of liked to take the tea class but my son doesn't drink tea so it would of been a waste of money. Since it was just me and him, I couldn't go without him.
Written February 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

BostnChicago
New York City, NY123 contributions
Jun 2022
Good for families with kids. This was a nice morning activity to do with our young kids. I wouldn't recommend for adults alone or teens. We had the misfortune of going on a day when 2 camps were also visiting so it was a bit crowded and some of the lines were long. My kids loved it though and we did enjoy the ice cream samples, the make your own commercial and creating your own flavor.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Karla V
1 contribution
Jun 2021 • Family
Favorite part is taste lab. Get to design your own ice cream for an extra cost, but worth it! Instructor Emily was excellent enthusiastic. Museum aspect includes interactive elements for kids but also much reading.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
We are happy you enjoyed your visit!
Written June 14, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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Turkey Hill Experience (Columbia) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go